Who Is Happiest?

When our sons were growing up, one of our Spring things was purchasing little net bags of damp straw holding hundreds of ladybugs to set free in our garden. This project had double benefits:  the ladybugs would feast on some of our garden pests, and the boys loved dancing in the swarm of the lady bug launching, letting them land on their arms and hair. The tradition continues as their daughters experience the joy of releasing something created to fly away free.  I think Maddie's smile answers the question, "Who is happiest?"

What Is Your Name?

It is a cool cloudy day following our rains yesterday, so I planted the pepper plants Joe and I bought a few days ago. 19 of them!! Green and yellow Bells, Gypsies, Anchos, Habaneros, Cayennes, Mucho Nachos (giant jalapenos)  and Chili Pequins (tiny, but 8 times hotter than a jalapeno)...all levels of the Scoville scale.  We already have tomatoes setting fruit.  I like planting heirloom varieties.  This year we put in Paul Robesons, Tliacolula Pinks, Black Cherries, Money Makers, Cherokee Purples and Juliettes.  The only hybrid plant I put in is a Better Bush.  It may give me a more predictable harvest but I love the different shapes and colors of the heirlooms.  Truth be told,  I love the names, too.  Whether it is a rose or a vegetable, the name calls me first.

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

My Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow bush is not yet blooming like this, but it will be soon.  This picture is from last year (Yesterday).   Its current season of blooms (Today) will bless us all these different colors as the blooms appear and fade.  It will bloom again. (Tomorrow).  My dear friend Debbie brought me the bush the week before they moved from Texas four years ago, as a reminder of enduring friendship.  In this week after Easter, I am grateful for past and present and future Grace.  Everlasting.

See the land, her Easter keeping,

 Rises as her Maker rose.
Seeds, so long in darkness sleeping,
 Burst at last from winter snows.
 Earth with heaven above rejoices.”
        ~Charles Kingsley